Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise in 2024

This is our review of the best dog food for Bichon Frise in 2024.

Bichon Frises are some of the friendliest and most social dogs. These fluff balls are small but mighty — keeping you on your toes all day long. (But be sure not to step on them!) 

The best food for Bichon Frises should provide moderate protein for energy, and should also include healthy fats for a shiny coat and skin. 

With this in mind, Royal Canin Bichon Frise Adult is my favorite choice. It’s formulated for your pooch with the perfect ratios of nutrients for a healthy lifestyle. 

However, there are many other options for your pup as well. Whether they need metabolism support or a grain free diet, we can help you can find the perfect solution.

Our Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise

1. Royal Canin Bichon Frise Adult Dry Dog Food (Best for Adult Bichon Frise)
2. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Small & Mini Breed Puppy (Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise Puppies)
3. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food (Best for Senior Bichon Frise)
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Active Bichon Frise)
5. CANIDAE PURE Petite Adult Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise With Allergies)
6. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food (Best Wet Food for Bichon Frise)
7. My Ollie Fresh Food (Best Fresh Dog Food)
8. Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Budget Dog Food)
9. Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management Dry Dog (Best for Weight Loss)
10. Nature’s Logic Canine Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Healthy Skin & Coat)

10 Best Dog Foods for Bichon Frise Reviewed 

The dog food formulas listed below follow the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your Bichon Frise’s food, please consult with your veterinarian. 

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Royal Canin Bichon Frise Adult Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Wheat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten
• Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 13% Crude Fat, 3.6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 352 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Dry dog food formulated for your Bichon Frise with EPA and DHA

Your furry friend is special, and they deserve a diet that fits their every need. Royal Canin’s Bichon Frise formula is tailor made and created just for your pup. 

This exclusive breed-specific dog food focuses on their special requirements. This includes the kibble being the right size for your dog’s strong lower jaw, while also being small enough to not overwork their mouth.

First, wheat and corn help promote healthy digestion and a regular pooping schedule. 

Chicken by-product meal then offers protein and B vitamins for energy, and fish oil also provides EPA and DHA. These nutrients help reinforce your dog’s skin barrier and support a shiny coat. 

Plus, supplemented L-lysine and taurine aid in heart health and maintain lean muscle mass. 

This formula is for Bichon Frises that are at least 10 months old — making it the best option for adult dogs. 

It also has a tailored calorie amount that helps keep your pooch from gaining too much weight.

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Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Small & Mini Breed Puppy

• First 5 Ingredients: Anchovy and Sardine Meal, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Chicken Fat
• Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 3.4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 481 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High calorie puppy food for small breeds 

Small breeds need smaller kibble and more calories per pound of weight. Bichon Frises tend to be energetic — so their puppy months will need lots of protein and fat to keep up. 

Holistic Select Natural Grain Free dog food helps support your dog’s caloric needs. It also has the appropriate fat and protein levels to give them a healthy combination of energy. 

The formula starts with anchovy and sardine meal. This animal meal helps to provide 30% protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, both of which help your pup maintain a healthy coat.

Chicken meal provides glucosamine, chondroitin, and taurine for heart health, and also provides healthy fats to protect your pooch’s muscles and joints. 

Papayas and pumpkin then provide natural fiber for digestion and vitamin A for eye health. This food also supplements yogurt cultures for nourishing antioxidants for immune support.

Holistic Select is made in the US with high-quality and sustainably sourced ingredients.

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Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 487 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Bite sized dog food that’s high in glucosamine for senior Bichon Frise

Chewing can become difficult for small dogs as they age, so moisture and bite-sized pieces may help your senior dog eat without difficulty.

Purina Bright Mind senior dog food offers smaller kibble while still being high in protein and healthy fats to nourish your pooch in their older years. 

Chicken is the first ingredient, providing glucosamine for joint health and mobility, followed by rice and whole grain corn to boost fiber content. These also provide nutrients like vitamin E for healthy skin. 

On top of that, there’s plenty of omega fatty acids and amino acids, too. The recipe includes fish oil, beef fat, and vegetable oil, which keep your dog’s coat shiny and keep environmental allergies at bay. 

This formula is enhanced with botanical oils like soybean and garlic oil — promoting alertness and mental sharpness in aging dogs — and added prebiotics and probiotics to aid in digestion.

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Peas, Tapioca Starch
• Guaranteed Analysis: 36% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 425 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High protein and grain free dog food for highly active small breeds

Dogs need high quality animal proteins to meet their taste for the wild. Let your Bichon Frise please their inner wolf with Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed food. 

Real chicken is the first ingredient, offering protein to maintain lean muscles, followed by chicken meal and pea protein for glucosamine to aid in joint and skin health. 

Potatoes and pea fiber offer gentle and easy to digest carbohydrates, plus help in supporting gut health without triggering food allergies. Cranberries and blueberries also provide vitamins like manganese for metabolism support. 

LifeSource Bits — a proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals — provide energy and help boost your Bichon Frise’s immune system. 

The smaller kibble fits petite dogs and their jaws. It’s crafted without chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy. It’s also free of artificial flavors and preservatives.

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CANIDAE PURE Petite Adult Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Lentils, Tapioca
• Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 12.5% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 525 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain free dog food made for small breeds with allergies

Bichon Frises tend to have environmental allergies, but they can have food allergies too. So, a wholesome meal that’s crafted with their health and well-being in mind is key. 

CANIDAE PURE Petite dry dog food is a grain free recipe and is hypoallergenic — made without common allergens, including corn, wheat, and soy, that can trigger rashes or sensitive stomachs. 

The formula starts with a single animal protein — salmon. This novel protein provides omega fatty acids that can soothe sensitive skin. 

Peas and lentils help provide digestible carbs for dogs that can’t have gluten or grains. These ingredients help aid healthy digestion and offer extra vitamins for energy. 

Added antioxidants and probiotics also help support your sidekick’s immune system.

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Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: (Petite Pot Pie) Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Whites
• Guaranteed Analysis: 8% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 1.4% Crude Fiber, 82% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 93 kcal/bowl
• Key Feature: High protein wet dog food made for picky small breeds who need variety

Picky dogs tend to want to switch food often. Why not offer your pup some variety with Merrick Lil’Plates Mini Medley? 

This variety pack offers delicious wet food for small dogs. It includes Petite Pot Pie, Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew, and Tiny Thanksgiving Day Dinner. 

Each recipe includes real chunks of meat — Petite Pot Pie starts with real deboned chicken. This provides higher protein content and amino acids that maintain lean muscles. 

Chicken liver supplies iron for energy support, and dried egg whites offer more protein and vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth. 

Carrots, apples, and peas help supplement other needed vitamins and nutrients. These include vitamin A for eye development and antioxidants immune system support. 

These formulas are free of grains and gluten. Merrick’s dog food is crafted in Hereford, TX, and cooked in the US.

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My Ollie Lamb Recipe Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Butternut Squash, Lamb Liver, Kale, Rice
• Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 74% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 1804 kcal/kg
• Key Feature: Minimally processed human-grade dog food that’s high in protein 

Bichon Frises can do well with dry kibble, but sometimes pet owners want less processed and fresher food for their dogs. That’s where Ollie Customized Dog Food comes in. 

Unlike dry kibble, Ollie focuses on your dog as an individual and delivers food right to your door.

First, you’ll start with a 5 minute quiz about your Bichon Frise. You’ll answer questions about their weight, body type, and potential allergies — as well as a few other questions. 

Once completed, Ollie will calculate the perfect diet for your pup. 

Recipe options include beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey, and you can choose one recipe or all four when ordering a new batch. If your pup has an allergy to any of the proteins (like chicken), you can also skip it. Ollie then ships the food completely fresh every two weeks.

Each shipment comes with a feeding guide, storage container, and scoop, showing you how much premium dog food your Bichon Frise needs each day. 

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Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat
• Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 3381 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain-free and high protein budget friendly dry dog food 

With an active Bichon Frise, it can be stressful trying to find a budget friendly food high in protein. Whole Earth Farms Small Breed formula meets those needs, while also being good value.

Chicken meal offers high-quality protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin for mobility and muscle maintenance. Chicken fat, flaxseed, and canola oil then provide fatty acids for coat and skin health, as well as healthy joints. 

The formula also includes field grown veggies — sweet potatoes and carrots supply fiber and vitamins like calcium for healthy bones. 

Antioxidants are supplemented for a healthy immune system, and this heart-shaped kibble includes probiotics and prebiotics to support healthy digestion.

The recipe was developed by veterinarians and nutrition experts and is cooked in the US. It’s free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors and colors, and other fillers.

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Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management Dry Dog

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Brewers Rice
• Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 288 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Low calorie dry dog food with lean animal proteins for small dogs 

Low calorie food doesn’t have to be bland and boring. In fact, Nutro’s Small Breed Weight Management formula includes delicious food without the weight gain. 

It starts with three super lean animal proteins — farm-raised chicken, lamb, and salmon that provide complementary amino acids and work together to promote lean muscles and fat loss. 

Whole brown rice and whole grain oatmeal help with proper nutrient absorption. And, they nourish and promote a healthy digestive system. 

Coconut, kale, and pumpkin provide essential vitamins for immune system support, with kale offering gentle fiber to help your dog clear out their system. 

For a faster metabolism to shed weight, it also supplements magnesium and B vitamins. 

This formula doesn’t include any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s also produced in Nutro’s own facilities to ensure safety and quality.

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Nature’s Logic Canine Grain Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Tapioca Root, Chicken Fat, Menhaden Fish Meal, Spray Dried Chicken Liver
• Guaranteed Analysis: 36% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 9% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 483 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain free dog food with omega fatty acids for skin health 

Bichon Frises are fluffy — their dense coats aren’t supposed to be wiry or velvety. Instead, they should be crisp but soft enough to pat down and spring back up. 

With allergies or a diet free of ingredients for coat health, you may notice a change in their fur. It may look stiff, and may become harder to dry and brush. Plus, you may notice that your dog scratches more or has red skin. 

Take care of your dog’s coat with Nature’s Logic Canine Grain Free dry dog food. It features whole foods that are rich in natural taurine, and that also include omega fatty acids for both inside and outside health. 

Chicken meal and chicken fat provide amino acids and vitamin E to soothe dry or flaky skin, and pumpkin seeds offer omega-6 fatty acids to aid the skin in retaining moisture. Dried spinach can also help reduce inflammation due to vitamin A and vitamin K. 

The formula is free of potatoes, peas, and other legumes for dogs with food sensitivities.

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How to Choose Food for Your Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises need smaller kibble for their teeth. Plus, they’ll need healthy fats to protect their luxurious coats. 

Here’s how to choose the best food for your dog.

Moderate Protein

Your Bichon Frise can thrive on a moderate protein diet. As a puppy, they’ll need about 22%, but they’ll only need around 18% once they reach adulthood. If your dog is more active, aim for around 25% to keep up with their energy. 

High quality animal protein is best. It’s easier for your furry friend to absorb vitamins and minerals from these ingredients. 

Moderate Fat

Healthy fats are important in a Bichon Frise’s diet — they need them for a shiny coat and healthy skin, as well as for extra energy. 

Like protein, it’s important to focus on the types of fat that you feed your pooch. Fish oil, flaxseed oil, and animal fat (like beef or chicken) are best. 

Easy to Digest Carbohydrates

Your dog can handle most carbohydrates, but it’s common for Bichon Frises to be allergic to wheat and soy. So, you’ll need to focus on carbohydrates like brown rice, oats, and sweet potatoes. 

These will provide natural fiber for digestion, and vitamins to support healthy skin and a healthy nervous system.

Vitamins and Minerals

Commercial dog food already has the appropriate nutrients that your Bichon Frise needs, so you shouldn’t have to supplement extra vitamins and minerals. 

However, choosing food with salmon oil or fish oil as a top ingredient may be helpful — Bichon Frises that have food or environmental allergies do well with these oils. Plus, they offer soothing benefits and help reduce inflammation of the skin, keeping their coat shiny.  

Bichon Frise Feeding Guide

Bichon Frises are small, but they are energy powerhouses and need a higher calorie diet. Due to their active nature, here’s what you need to know about feeding them.

Puppies

Bichon Frise puppies spend the majority of their time growing, so they will need more calories than their adult counterparts. These pups will need around 400 to 600 calories a day, which should be split between two or three meals to prevent overeating. 

It’s also important to get dog food that’s formulated for puppies. These options include higher percentages of DHA for brain development, and they include vitamins and minerals that puppies need to grow strong.

Adults

The average Bichon Frise weighs between 10 and 16 pounds. It’s important to offer high quality protein and fat without feeding them too many calories.

During their adult years, your Bichon Frise will need around 550 calories a day. You should also start feeding your adult dog twice a day.

Seniors

Your Bichon Frise will start to slow down and be less energetic during their senior years — starting at around age 8. It’s important to lower their calorie limit to prevent obesity and other issues. 

Your senior will need about 300 to 500 calories per day. Supplementing wet food to entice eating and offer extra nutrients can be helpful. 

Ingredients to Avoid

No one wants to eat harmful food — including your dog. While fillers cut costs for manufacturers, they aren’t beneficial to your pup. In worst case scenarios, certain chemicals and additives can even cause long-term health problems. 

The main ingredients to avoid are artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A few examples are BHT and BHA — these toxic chemicals are linked to health issues like cancer. 

Other fillers include wheat, soy, corn, and meat by-products. While these aren’t harmful to most dogs, they don’t provide much nutritional value. This lowers the quality of the food that your pup eats, so they won’t absorb as many vitamins and minerals. 

Common Bichon Frise Health Issues 

Bichon Frises are healthy dogs — often living to 15 years or more. And, their main problems are easy to treat and prevent. Here’s what you need to know. 

Obesity 

Although Bichon Frises are active, it is possible for them to eat too much. This is especially true if they don’t get much time to run around and play — lack of exercise can cause weight gain and obesity. But, luckily, it’s preventable. 

You’ll need to lower your dog’s daily calorie limit and offer a formula higher in protein and fat to keep them satiated. Also, remember to measure out their food during mealtime and avoid free feeding.

Diabetes

Diabetes happens because of excessive weight gain, genetics, or aging. This chronic disease arises when the body becomes intolerant to glucose. 

Type I diabetes is usually caused by genetics and is managed with medication. Type II diabetes is related to diet and age, and is usually managed with a lower calorie and low carb diet, exercise, and supplements like fish oil. 

No matter what type your dog has, it’s important to manage their diabetes. If unchecked, it can cause long-term health issues — even including death.

Allergies

Bichon Frises usually have environmental allergies to pollen, grass, and dust. But they can also have a food allergy — typically to wheat or soy. 

Common symptoms of allergic reactions include dry skin or an itchy coat and watery eyes. You can get your dog tested for environmental and food allergies at your veterinarian’s office. But keep in mind that food allergies may not show up, so testing food is important. 

If your pup has food allergies, you’ll need to choose a limited ingredient diet that doesn’t include them. It may also be helpful to supplement fish oil to soothe dry skin.

Dental Issues

Bichon Frises are prone to dental issues. Because of this, it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth daily, or offer them kibble that can help scrape plaque from their teeth. 

If your Bichon Frise is a picky eater and prefers wet food, you can mix a bit in with kibble to entice them to eat. Also, be sure to get their teeth checked regularly by your veterinarian — it’s more economical to pay for cleanings than it is to get your dog’s teeth pulled. 

Our Verdict

Bichon Frises are cute balls of fur that need protein and fat to keep their bodies and fluff in good condition.

Royal Canin Bichon Frise Adult dry dog food offers EPA and DHA.

These two essential nutrients support a shiny coat, healthy brain development, and mobility.

FAQ About Bichon Frise

Curious about what your Bichon Frise needs? Here are some frequent questions, and their answers!